What Is Epilepsy?
Three facts to know first
What everyone who lives or works with a person with epilepsy should know before the details.
Epilepsy affects about 1 in 100 people of all ages.
Medication completely controls seizures in more than 70% of cases.
Epilepsy is not possession, a mental illness or contagious, and it does not prevent marriage, parenthood or employment.
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that causes recurring seizures because of irregular electrical activity in the brain. It is not contagious and is unrelated to intelligence or mental health. With correct diagnosis and regular treatment, more than two thirds of people with epilepsy live completely normal lives.
Seizure types — simply explained
- Focal seizures — begin in one area of the brain. They may appear as movement in one hand, an unusual feeling in the stomach or a brief absence, and awareness may remain intact.
- Generalised seizures — involve the whole brain from the outset. The best-known type is a convulsive seizure, in which the person loses consciousness and their body convulses for one or two minutes.
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a description of the seizure. Your account, or that of someone who witnessed it, is more important than any device. The clinician may then request:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) — records electrical activity. It is safe, painless and does not cause a seizure.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — looks for a structural cause in the brain.
- Basic blood tests to exclude other causes of a seizure.
Treatment and daily life
The main treatment is regular medication taken at the same time each day. Some drug-resistant cases may benefit from epilepsy surgery, nerve-stimulation devices or a ketogenic diet, as determined by a specialist team.
Never stop medication or reduce the dose on your own when you feel better. Sudden withdrawal is a common cause of severe seizures.
Take the information with you
Three print-ready resources for families, pockets and schools.
Questions families often ask
Is epilepsy contagious?
u003cpu003eNo. Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain’s electrical activity and is not transmitted through contact, touch or any other route.u003c/pu003e
Can a person with epilepsy study and work normally?
u003cpu003eYes. Most people achieve seizure control with treatment and can continue education and work without additional restrictions other than those advised by their clinician.u003c/pu003e
When does a seizure require calling emergency services?
u003cpu003eCall 997 immediately if a seizure lasts more than five minutes, repeats without recovery of consciousness, or involves an injury or breathing difficulty.u003c/pu003e
Does treatment stop when seizures disappear?
u003cpu003eMedication should not be stopped or its dose changed except by the treating clinician. Sudden withdrawal can cause seizures to return more severely.u003c/pu003e
Do you know what to do in the first minute of a seizure?
Five numbered steps, four common mistakes to avoid and when to call emergency services on 997 immediately.